Electronic device containment system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a new and unique way to use, transport and retain electrical cords, ear pieces, and other accessories associated with portable hand-held electronic devices. The invention keeps the cord and plurality of accessories in a defined compact space that facilitates use of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device of this invention is selected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a personal music player, an MP3 player, a CD player, a DVD player, an audio storage device, an audio recording device, a radio, a hand-held computer and a personal television set.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS & INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/985,160, entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM,” filedNov. 13, 2007, which is a utility application which claims the benefitunder 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/858,895, filed Nov. 14, 2006. All of these related applications areincorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application.Moreover, any and all U. S. patents, U. S. patent applications, andother documents, hard copy or electronic, cited or referred to in thisapplication are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of thisapplication.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and unique way to use, transportand retain primarily electrical cords and other accessories used with aplurality of portable electronic devices. The electronic devices may becorded or cordless, such as “Blue Tooth” devices. More specifically, theinvention keeps the device and its accessories in a defined, compactspace that facilitates retrieval and use of the portable electronicdevice. Even more specifically, the electronic device of interest inthis invention is selected from the group consisting of a cellulartelephone, a personal music player, a CD player, a DVD player, an audiostorage device, an audio recording device, a radio, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a hand-held computer, and a personal television set.

Background and Related Art

The popularity of portable hand-held electronic devices is widespreadinternationally and is growing. Cellular telephone use has become verywidespread and it is not uncommon for people to have family-plan cellphone use (with each family member having his or her own number andphone unit) as well as those having only cellular phone service with nohard-wired installed telephone. The present invention recognizes thepopularity and extensive use of cell phones as well as the increasinguse of portable cordless personal music players, including CD and DVDplayers and other, small portable personal entertainment devices andhand held computers.

In the past, some inventions have touched on the issue of headset cordretention for this type of portable electronic device. For example, inpublished US patent application number 2005/0148313 Chee described adevice that allows a user to limit the length of cord associated with asmall electronic device. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,080 Edwards et aldescribe a retractable device with spools devices. In U.S. Pat. No.6,957,978 Zoller describes a cord retainer that has a base and a flange:

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is an electronic device containment system thatcomprises at least one elastic pocket that attaches to the back of aportable hand-held electronic device. The invention is designed forcontaining handless ear attachments, cords, and the device's otheraccessories when they are not in use. There is a series of pocketsstacked one upon another to organize and contain various accessories ofthe portable hand-held electronic device. There is also considerationgiven in this invention to the storage of various small personal itemsthat a user may find helpful to conveniently contain and retrieve aswell as the electronic device itself.

Oftentimes the average user of a portable hand-held electronic devicedoes not need or use the whole length of cord that is supplied with theear set of the electronic device. Too much cord length creates excessslack in the cord that can get tangled or be bothersome to a user. Ifthe electronic device of interest is cordless, it will still have earpieces and/or other attachments. The electronic device containmentsystem of this invention can handle such attachments with its series ofpockets and other organizing compartments. The first pocket, closest tothe back of the electronic device, is designed to store the excesslength of cord. The invention also comprises a storage compartment whichis a small compartment within the first pocket of the invention. Thestorage compartment is for storing any excess or unneeded length of thecord. Additional elastic pockets used can be appropriately sized to holditems selected from the group consisting of keys, coins, paper money andpaper notes, or other small, useful items that users need to keep handy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts the headset cord retainer of this invention, includingthe device, cord, socket, and a plurality of elastic pockets andaccompanying hook and loop members.

FIG. 2 depicts the various members shown in FIG. 1 being fitted intovarious compartments of the electronic device containment system of thisinvention and also depicts a typical storage location for the electronicdevice containment system.

DEFINITIONS OF SOME TERMS USED IN THIS INVENTION

In this invention, the ‘female’ socket will mean the open end of theoutput jack that is built into the electronic device and into which willfit the plug or male aspect of the output jack for the ear piece.

In this invention, the ‘male’ device will mean the plug end of the jackused for sound transmittal.

Please note: The male/female distinction used in this invention is bydirect analogy with animal gentalia; the part bearing one or moreprotrusions, or which fits inside the other being designated male andthe part containing the corresponding indentations or fitting outsidethe other being female.

In this invention, ‘ear set’ will mean the ear piece or pieces thatallow a user to hear sound directly into a user's ear from theelectronic device of this invention.

In this invention, using the electronic device in a traditional mannerwill mean its use without a handless external ear set, but rather withthe speakers and microphone that are built into the device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, shown is a system for the containment ofaccessories of a portable hand-held electronic device 1 comprising afirst pocket 3, made of elastic fabric and a plurality of hook and loopmembers 5A, 5B, and 19 that can attach to at least one side of theoutside of the hand-held electronic device 1. The device's folded lengthof cord 7 and the device's ear set 9 are inserted into the elasticpocket 3 at a time when the device 1 is not in active use by a user 25.The electronic device containment system of this invention may or maynot be built into the back of the electronic device 1 of interest oronto the device's case.

The system also comprises a plurality of hook and loop members 5A, 5B,and 19 that work in conjunction with the elastic pocket 3 and additionalelastic pockets 11 to make the containment system of this invention. Thefirst elastic pocket 3 contains a folded length of the device's cord 7and ear set 9 that keeps them untangled and away from the user 25. Thefirst pocket 3 contains a small opening in its side 13 that allows theuser 25 access to the cord 7 and the ear set 9 easily by pulling the earset 9 out of said elastic pocket 3. A plurality of additional elasticpockets 11 which use additional pairs of hook and loop members 5A, 5Band 19 that hold the additional elastic pockets 11 in series on top ofthe first elastic pocket 3 wherein the elastic nature of the pockets 3and 11 keep their contents firmly and securely enclosed and attachedwithin the electronic device containment system of this invention.

At least one tension adjustment strap 8 is built into the elasticpockets 3 and 11 such that shortening of the tension adjustment straps 8can reduce the effective volume of the elastic pockets 3 and 11.Likewise, lengthening of the tension adjustment straps can increase thecapacity of the elastic pockets 3 and 11. This allows the elasticpockets 3 and 11 to accommodate different sizes of electronic devices 1The tension adjustment straps 8 can be made of either elastic strings orelastic fabric with hook and loop members on their distal ends.Adjusting the length of the tension adjustment straps 8 can beaccomplished by either using the hook and loop members or by tying orfastening the elastic strings as needed. There can be from one to aboutfour tension straps present. The number of tension straps present willbe directly proportional to the size and number of accessories requiredby a particular electronic device 1 and the pocket size

Although the electronic device 1 held by the electronic devicecontainment system of this invention may be cordless, the detaileddescription of the invention will be written as if a cord 7 werepresent. If there is no cord 7, the containment system will stillfunction and provide storage and retrieval of the device's ear set 9 andother small accessories.

It should be noted that the total number of elastic pockets 11 attachedto the first elastic pocket 3 the electronic device 1 of this inventioncan vary from about two to about six. The number of pocket possibledepends on the size of the electronic device 1 and the size and natureof the accessories associated with it. FIG. 1 of this invention showsadditional elastic pockets 11 held together with interlocking hook andloop members 5A, 5B, and 19.

Furthermore, when using this invention the user 25 is afforded easystorage and quick retrieval of the cord 7 and ear set 9 of theelectronic device 1 as one piece from a user location 27 selected fromthe group consisting of a pocket, a backpack, a briefcase, a purse andthe like. FIG. 2 depicts the electronic device 1 and various members ofthe electronic device 1 fitted into various compartments of theelectronic device containment system of this invention and also depictsa typical storage location as detailed above.

Prior to fastening pocket 3 to device 1 the plug end of the cord 15 isinserted through hole 13 and then out of hole 4 in the first elasticpocket 3. As seen in FIG. 1, hole 4 is situated on the same side of thepocket 3 as the hook and loop members 5A. The plug 15 is then insertedinto to female socket 2. Next the hook and loop members 5A and 5B areaffixed together to fasten first elastic pocket 3 to electronic device1. In doing so, the few centimeters of cord 7 adjacent to plug 15, aresandwiched between hook and loop members 5A and 5B to help secure thecord 7. Attached as such, the cord's plug 15 can then be plugged into ordetached from socket 2 as needed to activate or deactivate the ear set9. When activated, the user 25 can remove ear set 9 and cord 7 throughhole 13 and use the ear set 9 as desired. When deactivated, the user 25can leave the ear set 9 and cord 7 in the pocket 3 and use theelectronic device 1 without the ear set 9, but rather can use themicrophone and/or speakers that are built into the electronic device 1.

Additionally, the electronic device containment system of this inventionis designed for a portable hand-held electronic device 1 that isselected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a personalmusic player (such as an MP3 player or a CD player), a DVD player, anaudio storage device, an audio recording device, a radio, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a hand-held computer, and a personal televisionset. It should be noted that any of the elastic pockets 3 and 11 of thecontainment system of this invention can be appropriately sized to holdsmall necessary items selected from the group consisting of keys, coinsand paper money, other small electronic gadgets, and paper notes.

The plurality of pockets 3 and 11 that comprise the electronic devicecontainment system of this invention may be made of fabric, elastic,plastic, or combinations of these suitable materials. The size of theelectronic device containment system and accompanying pockets maytherefore made to be more accommodating to accept the items that are tobe inserted therein by the user 25.

The shapes of the pockets 3 and 11 can be designed specifically forvarious electronic devices 1 or other accessories that are to beenclosed in the electronic device containment system of this invention.In many instances, the pockets' elastic nature allow them to bestretched to accommodate the approximate size of the items carried insaid pockets 3 and 11 and holds the contained items securely in place.Also, the ear set 9 and only a portion of the length of the folded cord7 is pulled through the hole 13 of the elastic pocket 3 and the rest ofthe cord 7 and is put into a storage compartment 6 of the elastic pocket3.

The electronic device containment system of this invention is used tocontain, manage and retrieve a length of cord 7 and a plurality ofaccessories for a portable hand-held electronic device 1. Tosuccessfully do this the following steps are undertaken by a user 25:

The headset containment system of this invention can be designed tocustom fit and protect a specific electronic device 1. The user 25attaches a hook and loop member of two parts 5A and 5B, with both partsavailable so that the user 25 can attach the first part 5A to anelectronic device 1. Alternatively, if the electronic device has acarrying or protective case designed to hold it, the hook and loopmembers 5A, 5B and 19 can be attached to said case. If the hook and loopmembers 5A, 5B, and 19 are built into one side of the pocket 3, it itallows user 25 to insert or remove items from pocket 3 from electronicdevice 1 as desired.

Alternatively, the pockets 3 and 11 can be directly built into orfastened by other means to the protective or carrying case of theelectronic device 1. Instead of hook and loop members the pockets 3 and11 could be held on to the electronic device 1 by fasteners such astongue and groove snaps, buttons, and the like.

As seen in FIG. 2, the user 25 can fold the length of cord 7 multipletimes in order to make the size of the folded cord 7 fit into theelastic pocket 3. The arrangement allows the elastic pocket 3 thecapability of snugly containing said ear set 9 and a user 25 inretrieving the ear set 9.

The method for containing, managing and retrieving a length of cord anda variety of accessories for a portable hand-held electronic device 1includes the steps of

attaching at least one set of hook and loop member of two partscomprising a first part and a second part with both parts available sothat a user can attach the first part to an electronic device; and

attaching the second part of the hook and loop member to one side of afirst elastic pocket; allowing the pocket to be secured and removed whendesired by aligning the two hook and loop members and subsequentlyseparating the two hook and loop members from the device and reattachedwhen desired

folding the length of cord multiple times in order to make the size ofthe folded cord fit into the elastic pocket and subsequently

inserting into the elastic pocket that is firmly attached to the back ofthe hand-held electronic device the folded length of the device's cordand ear set when the device is not in active use by a user

The method of this invention allows the first elastic pocket 3 thatcontains the length of the device's cord 7 and ear set 9 and keeps themuntangled and away from the user 25 for easy transporting and use. Theelastic pocket 3 contains an opening 13 which allows the user 25 accessto the cord 7 and the set 9.

The method allows a plurality of additional elastic pockets 11 which useadditional pairs of hook and loop members 5A, 5B, and 19 to hold thepockets 11 in series on top of the first elastic pocket 3 wherein theelastic nature of the pockets 3 and 11 keep their contents firmly andsecurely enclosed and attached to the electronic device 1.

The method of this invention allows for a plurality of additionalpockets 11 to be added separately to the outside of the electronicdevice 1 and not attached to each other. The additional elastic pockets11 used can be appropriately sized to hold items selected from the groupconsisting of keys, coins, paper money and paper notes.

The hook and loop members 19, attached to the elastic pocket 3 are builtinto and are a part of the pocket 3. The cord 7 is easily wrapped uparound the fingers of a user 25 to coil or fold the cord 7 whenreplacing the accessories stored by the electronic device containmentsystem of this invention. More specifically, hook and loop member 19 isbuilt in to the pocket 3 and is fastened to electronic device 1 and isattached to hook and loop member 19 when desired.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated ofcarrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process ofmaking and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as toenable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make anduse this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from that discussed abovewhich are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention tolimit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternateconstructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention asgenerally expressed by the following claims, which particularly pointout and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device containment system for thestorage, retrieval and safekeeping of a plurality of accessories of aportable hand-held electronic device comprising a-a first elastic pocketwith a plurality of hook and loop members that attach and are layered toat least one side of the outside of the hand-held electronic device intowhich is inserted a folded length of the device's cord and a variety ofsmall items desired by a user of the electronic device that alsocomprises b-a small opening in the side of the first elastic pocket thatallows the user access to the cord and the ear set out of said pocket;and c.-a plurality of additional elastic pockets which use additionalpairs of hook and loop members that hold each of them in series on topof the first elastic pocket wherein the elastic nature of the pocketskeep their contents firmly and securely enclosed and attached to theelectronic device containment system
 2. The containment system of claim1 wherein easy storage and quick retrieval of the cord and ear set ofthe device as one piece from a user location selected from the groupcomprising a pocket, a backpack, a briefcase, and a purse.
 3. Thecontainment system of claim 1 wherein the ear set is able to be attachedto the electronic device when needed by a user by being pulled throughan opening in the first elastic pocket and then plugged into theelectronic device.
 4. The containment system of claim 1 wherein the useris able to use the electronic device in a traditional manner withoutusing the ear set by unplugging the cord from the electronic device andkeeping the remainder of the cord and ear set in the elastic pocket. 5.The containment system of claim 1 wherein the plug end of the cord isable to extend through a hole in the first elastic pocket such that asmall section of the cord is sandwiched between the hook and loopmembers that attach the pocket to the electronic device and secures thecord in place and allows the plugging in or unplugging of the electronicdevice
 6. The containment system of claim 1 wherein the portablehand-held electronic device is selected from the group consisting of acellular telephone, a personal music player, a CD player, an MP3 player,a DVD player, a personal digital assistant (PDA) an audio storagedevice, an audio recording device, a radio, a hand-held computer and apersonal television set.
 7. The containment system of claim 1 whereinthe pockets can be appropriately sized and shaped to hold items selectedfrom the group consisting of keys, coins, paper money, paper notes, andcan be custom-shaped to contain a particular electronic device
 8. Thecontainment system of claim 8 wherein the device's ear set and only aportion of the length of the device's folded cord is pulled through thehole of the first elastic pocket and the rest of the cord is put into astorage compartment of the first elastic pocket.
 9. The containmentsystem of claim 8 wherein the total number of elastic pockets attachedto the electronic device varies from about two to about six, the numberof pocket possible depends on the size of the electronic device and thesize and nature of the accessories contained therein.
 10. Thecontainment system of claim 1 wherein the pockets are made of acombination of materials selected from the group consisting of plastic,cloth and elastomer that are fastened together and whose elastic natureallow the pockets to be stretched to accommodate the size of theaccessories carried therein and provide safe keeping and easy retrievalof the members contained therein and can be specifically shaped for aparticular accessory.
 11. The containment system of claim 1 wherein usercan adjust the size of the elastic pockets as needed by the adjustmentof at least one to about four tension straps.
 12. A method forcontaining, managing and retrieving a length of cord, and a plurality ofaccessories for a portable hand-held electronic device comprisingattaching at least one set of hook and loop member of two partscomprising a first part and a second part with both parts available sothat a user can attach the first part to an electronic device; andattaching the second part of the hook and loop member to one side of afirst elastic pocket; allowing the pocket to be secured and removed whendesired by aligning the two hook and loop members and subsequentlyseparating the two hook and loop members from the device and reattachedwhen desired folding the length of cord multiple times in order to makethe size of the folded cord fit into the elastic pocket and subsequentlyinserting into the elastic pocket that is firmly attached to the back ofthe hand-held electronic device the folded length of the device's cordand ear set when the device is not in active use by a user wherein saidarrangement allows the elastic pocket the capability of snuglycontaining the accessories and a user in retrieving said accessories.13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first elastic pocket containingthe length of the device's cord and ear set keeps them untangled andaway from the user for easy transporting and use.
 14. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the first elastic pocket contains an opening that isclosest to the user that allows the user access to the cord and the earset.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein a plurality of additionalelastic pockets which use additional pairs of hook and loop members tohold them in series on top of the first elastic pocket wherein theelastic nature of the pockets keep their contents firmly and securelyenclosed and attached to the electronic device.
 16. The method of claim12 wherein a plurality of additional pockets are separately added to theoutside of the electronic device and are not attached to each other. 17.The method of claim 12 wherein the additional elastic pockets used canbe appropriately sized to hold items selected from the group consistingof keys, coins, paper money, paper notes and can be custom-shaped tocontain a particular electronic device.
 18. The method of claim 12wherein the hook and loop members attached to the first elastic pocketare built into and are part of the pocket.
 19. The method of claim 12wherein the cord is easily wrapped up around the fingers of the hand ofa user when replacing said accessories.